Public Meetings - Rochester, Minnesota

The Ethical Practices Board of Rochester, Minnesota, met on September 18, 2026, at City Hall (Room 104), beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Board approved the minutes of its June 18, 2026 meeting, received no public comment, and reviewed two ethics complaint inquiries submitted on August 17 and August 19, 2026. One complaint was dismissed, the other was tabled to the next meeting, and the Board set its October meeting date. Note: The agenda and adopted minutes are dated September 17, 2026, which conflicts with the September 18, 2026 meeting timestamp provided for this summary. Consent Calendar - Approved the meeting minutes of June 18, 2026 by motion. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public wished to speak during the open comment period (limited to 15 minutes for non-agenda items); the period was closed. Discussion Items Reports/Inquiries - The City Attorney reported that no formal inquiries beyond the two complaint submissions were pending, though specific questions had generated internal discussion among his team. Complaint inquiry submitted August 19, 2026 – Dismissed - The complaint alleged that a city council member was observed viewing text messages from someone else's phone during a council meeting and appeared to respond to them. The complainant stated, "I cannot confirm the identity of the person being texted for approved wrongdoing." - The City Attorney explained that while council members should not text among themselves due to open meeting law concerns, no similar preclusion applies to texting staff or members of the public. - Board members discussed the importance of public perception to the credibility and trustworthiness of elected officials. - The Board made and carried a motion to dismiss this complaint. Complaint inquiry submitted August 17, 2026 – Tabled - This longer complaint involved a vendor agreement and RFP process. The complainant raised concerns that the request for proposals may have been initiated due to bias based on actions of the property owners, and that a facility's financial performance was misrepresented (described by the complainant as a "money pit" wasting tax dollars). - One board member summarized the complainant's view as believing there was "negative bias towards him by the person who had the power to present him in a particular way." - Board members questioned whether "good old boys club" and "scratching each other's back" conduct falls within the ethics ordinance, and one board member (Bob) shared experience from his time as an administrator in Wisconsin about contract negotiation and "horse trading." - The City Attorney discouraged an investigation, stating that the city is not bound to renew a contract and is free to change course during an RFP process. - A board member moved to table the final decision to allow members additional time to read the full complaint; the motion was clarified to continue discussion to the next meeting. - Board member Haeussinger left the meeting before a vote could be taken on this complaint and did not return. The Board voted to table the complaint to the October meeting. Other Business - The Board discussed scheduling conflicts and selected a new meeting date. October 15, 2026 was raised as a possible date, but the adopted minutes record the next meeting as October 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in conference room 320 of City Hall. Key Outcomes - Approved the June 18, 2026 meeting minutes. - Dismissed the August 19, 2026 complaint inquiry. - Tabled the August 17, 2026 complaint inquiry to the next meeting. - Scheduled the next meeting for October 29, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in conference room 320.

The Rochester Police Civil Service Commission met on September 18, 2026, to handle routine personnel matters. All three commissioners—Bradley D Trahan, Courtney Dugstad, and Angela Halbert—were present, including newly welcomed Commissioner Angela Halbert. The meeting was held at the Rochester Police Department North Station, Room 164, 4001 W River Pkwy, Rochester, MN, or via MS Teams, and was called to order at approximately 3:00 p.m. The commission unanimously approved the agenda, the previous meeting minutes, and the appointment of one temporary sergeant. No public comments were made, and no other business was discussed. Note on the date: The agenda, minutes, and raw transcript date the meeting as September 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.; however, the meeting timestamp provided for this summary states 2026-09-18 09:00:00+00:00. This discrepancy is noted rather than silently choosing one version. Consent Calendar - 4.A Minutes: Motion by Courtney Dugstad, seconded by Angela Halbert, to approve the minutes from the last meeting. Approved unanimously by Bradley D Trahan, Courtney Dugstad, and Angela Halbert. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. The chair indicated that no one was present for public comments. Discussion Items - 5.A Temporary Sergeant: The commission considered the Chief's Request to Appoint Sergeant, which asked to authorize the appointment of one temporary Sergeant. Commissioners indicated they had reviewed the request and had no questions. Motion by Courtney Dugstad, seconded by Angela Halbert, to authorize the appointment was approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Agenda approved unanimously by a motion from Courtney Dugstad, seconded by Angela Halbert. - Previous meeting minutes approved unanimously. - One temporary Sergeant appointment authorized unanimously. - Motion to adjourn made by Courtney Dugstad, seconded by Angela Halbert, and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned with no other business.

Note: The meeting agenda and minutes list the date as September 16, 2026, but the provided instruction states the meeting took place on September 17, 2026. This discrepancy is noted here; the summary follows the instruction date. The Rochester Planning & Zoning Commission convened on September 17, 2026, with 8 members present (Commissioner Lisa Ross absent). The meeting addressed three public hearings, unanimous approval of consent agenda items, and a discussion on future presentations regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) and parkland dedication fees. Consent Calendar - Minutes of August 12, 2026: Approved unanimously (8-0). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the open comment period or during any of the three public hearings. Discussion Items - Zone Change No. CD2026-002ZC (75th AZ, LLC): Staff presented a request to rezone a 15.75-acre site at the northwest corner of Highway 44 and Highway 4 from H (Holding Zone) to MXC (Mixed Use General). The applicant’s representative, Bill Tointon, noted the site was recently annexed and the zone change was the next step. Commissioners asked about future development plans; no specific plan was presented. The commission unanimously forwarded a recommendation of approval to the City Council. - Zone Change No. CD2026-001ZC (Stencil Group) & Major Modification No. CD2026-012MOD: Staff presented both items together for the Forte Senior Living Phase 4 project (3.83 acres). The zone change request was to rezone from MX-S (Mixed Use Street-Oriented) to R-3 (Medium Density Residential). The modification requested an increase in maximum building height from 48 feet to 56 feet 8 inches within R-3. Applicant representative Zach Moen (Loucks) spoke. During discussion, Commissioner Boyum questioned whether the MX-S zoning district’s original intent was being undermined by the change; staff explained that adjacent development patterns made R-3 more appropriate. On the zone change, the commission voted 7-1 to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council (Commissioner Boyum dissenting). On the height modification, the commission voted 7-0-1 to approve subject to the condition that the zone change be approved by the City Council (Commissioner Boyum abstained). - Other Business: Staff provided a City Council recap of the September 9, 2026 meeting, noting approval of the Cassidy Heights subdivision (18 single-family homes). Commissioners discussed the frequency of major modification requests and the need to track patterns for future UDC updates. A motion passed (by consensus) to request two future presentations: (1) a 10-minute overview of the UDC’s intended outcomes from city staff, and (2) a presentation from the Parks and Recreation Department on parkland dedication fee collection and use, possibly incorporated into the year-end development report. Key Outcomes - Zone Change CD2026-002ZC: Forwarded recommendation of approval to City Council (8-0). - Zone Change CD2026-001ZC: Forwarded recommendation of approval to City Council (7-1). - Major Modification CD2026-012MOD: Approved with one condition (7-0-1, one abstention). - Future Presentations: Commission agreed to request a UDC overview presentation and a parks-department presentation on parkland dedication fees, to be scheduled at staff convenience, ideally by year-end.

The Rochester Library Board met on September 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the library. The board approved the order of agenda, received updates from committees and partner organizations, approved four policy updates, discussed the status of county funding for digital services, and received an annual update on the Rochester Reading Champions tutoring program. The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Updates & Reports - Rochester Public Library Foundation Report: Executive Director Brenda Kardock reported that the Foundation raised $538,000 from 150 donors (214 gifts), with 100% board participation. The Foundation is developing gift acceptance SOPs, auction events, and a Youth Imagination Station unveiling on October 29. The Foundation plans to migrate off the city server in late first quarter/early second quarter 2027. - Friends of the Rochester Public Library Update: Board President Val Kaliszewski reported that the fall membership drive began September 1, with 80 renewals in the first two weeks generating $4,000. Benefits include a 20% discount at the Friends bookstore and early admission to book sales. The autumn book sale will be the second weekend in October. - Advocacy Committee Update: The committee met last Thursday and finalized a document on Olmsted County funding, which was sent via newsletter and Facebook post. Work begins on a stakeholder map and elevator speeches. - Policy Committee Update: Deferred to the policy review discussion (see below). - Teen Library Council Update: Primary representative Lucy Kreuter was absent; Hassan Yaqoob will serve as backup. The TLC held its first meeting. New board member Michelle Rogers Kull (nurse practitioner) was welcomed. - Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Update: Received and filed. Consent Calendar The board unanimously approved (9-0) the consent calendar, which included: - Minutes of the July 15, 2026 meeting - Accounts Payable for September 10, 2026 totaling $120,555.37 - August 2026 monthly reports - Contracts signed by the Library Director Policy Review The board approved updates to four library policies: Community Posting and Brochure, Emergency Planning, Library Space Policy, and Privacy and Confidentiality Policy. During discussion on the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy, members clarified that the library follows state public information law and consults with the city attorney for any duly authorized requests (e.g., law enforcement warrants). The updates were unanimously approved. County Funding and Services Update Library staff reported that the Olmsted County Board approved funding for the bookmobile portion ($61,104) of the payment-for-services request, maintaining services to Byron, Dover, Iota, and Nelco. However, the county did not approve funding for digital access services. As a result, starting January 2027, non-Rochester residents (approximately 7,400 people) will lose full home-user access to OverDrive/Libby and Kanopy, becoming visitor users with reduced access. The library’s digital collection includes over 75,000 unique titles (156,000 copies), compared to SELCO’s 63,000 copies, and the loss will particularly affect world-language materials (cost-per-circ). Comics Plus will be preserved for three years due to a negotiated contract. Staff will provide handouts for bookmobile staff directing affected residents to contact their county commissioners. The board emphasized the need to educate the county board about the true cost and value of digital resources. A formal action item may appear in the November board packet. Rochester Reading Champions Update Tammy Fritz, Literacy Services Coordinator, presented the annual update on the Rochester Reading Champions (RRC) program, which provides free one-to-one tutoring in structured literacy (Orton-Gillingham) for ages 6 through adult. Key statistics: - Since 2014: 73 volunteer tutors trained (including 3 staff), nearly 15,000 lessons provided, and 105 graduates. If paid commercially, these lessons would have cost nearly $800,000. - Currently: 35 active tutors (6 on hold), 2 in training, 2 more passed background checks. 35 individuals on the waitlist. Expecting 40 active tutors by year end and serving over 60 students. - Youth participants average almost 3 grade levels of growth in single-word reading after about 90 lessons. - Added three public tutoring locations (RCTC, Northwritt Building, United Way) to expand capacity; 10 students served there. - Funding comes from grants, a portion of Friends book sales, and donations funneled through the Foundation. The coordinator’s maximum support capacity is 40 tutors. Discussion included potential expansion through a train-the-trainer model and contracting exit screening. Key Outcomes - Approved (9-0): Order of agenda, consent calendar items, and updated policies (Community Posting and Brochure, Emergency Planning, Library Space Policy, Privacy and Confidentiality Policy). - Received and filed: All updates and reports from committees, the Foundation, Friends, SELCO, TLC, and the Rochester Reading Champions presentation. - Noted: County funding for digital services was denied; library will implement reduced access for non-Rochester residents starting January 2027. Staff will provide informational handouts and the board may take formal action in November. - Adjourned: 5:22 p.m.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 14, 2026, but the provided timestamp indicates September 15, 2026. This summary follows the timestamp date. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission met to receive updates on the Willow Creek Trail project and the Q2 2026 Multimodal Count Program. Public comment was heard. The commission approved the consent agenda (August 10, 2026 minutes) and set the next meeting for October 12, 2026. No action items were voted on beyond routine approvals. Public Comments & Testimony - Barry Skolnick spoke about two issues: 1) He requested an update on enforcement of Lime scooter regulations, noting he has raised the issue for six years and has heard no progress. He also asked if city staff are allowing Lime to restrict low-wage drivership. 2) He commented on the Q2 2026 Multimodal Count report, stating the data is presented in a form that makes it difficult to connect to specific goals and decision-making. He requested clearer explanations of the purpose of each data component. Discussion Items - Willow Creek Trail Project Update (Item 7.A) Deputy Public Works Director Dillon Dombrovski presented a feasibility study for a 2.5-mile trail from 28th Street SE to Game Haven Regional Park, crossing Highway 52 via an existing bridge underpass. The project is funded by a $3.6 million state bonding allocation. Two alternatives for a segment through a floodplain/wetland area were evaluated: Alternative 1 (along an existing levee berm) and Alternative 2 (through wooded wetland requiring boardwalk). City Council initially selected Alternative 1, but the mayor vetoed the decision. Council failed to override the veto (needed a 5/7 vote), so Alternative 2 is proceeding. Alternative 2 is over $1 million more expensive to construct and has roughly five times the annual maintenance cost of a standard bituminous path. Commissioners asked about wildlife displacement, environmental impacts, and long-term maintenance. A pedestrian bridge over County Road 47 (55 mph) was discussed as a future need, estimated at $2.4–4 million. The commission asked how they could support grant applications; staff indicated letters of support from the commission would be helpful. The main trail is expected to be constructed by 2028. - Q2 2026 Multimodal Count Program Report and Counter Siting Follow-Up (Item 7.B) Mode Shift Coordinator Matt Lynch presented the first validated quarterly data from the city’s permanent counters. Key context: counters measure passages (not people or trips), data is validated to remove errors, and reporting is quarterly until a full year of data is available in spring 2027. Significant findings: Nearly half of all counts came from one downtown counter at 2nd Street and First Avenue, boosted by Thursday’s Downtown events. Paths had higher weekday usage than any street site, and seasonal decline was gradual (not a cliff). Counter siting: Based on August commission feedback to place a counter in a low-utilization area, staff selected 11th Avenue Northwest (city street, four lanes, adjacent to a school, no existing facility). The counter will help establish a baseline for future facility improvements. Lynch also outlined how count data will inform model calibration (using StreetLight and Replica), though that work is not yet underway. Commissioners provided feedback on the report format: they appreciated breakdowns by mode (pedestrian, cyclist, scooter), hourly and daily profiles, monthly comparisons, and event annotations. A suggestion was made to present data with and without outlier events. Key Outcomes - Approved: Consent agenda including minutes of August 10, 2026 (unanimous). - Approved: Agenda as presented (unanimous). - Adjourned: Motion by Sarah Stevens, seconded by Dave F Pesch (unanimous). - Directive/Next Steps: Staff will continue design of Willow Creek Trail under Alternative 2, pursue grant funding for the pedestrian bridge and spur connections, and bring a letter of support for the commission to sign. The Q2 Count Program will move toward annual reporting; staff will incorporate commissioner feedback on report format. The next permanent counter will be sited on 11th Avenue Northwest. - Next Meeting: October 12, 2026 at City Hall Room 104.

The Rochester Sustainability and Resiliency Commission met on September 15, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall Room 104 and via Zoom. The meeting focused on Rochester Public Utilities' (RPU) power supply resource plan, updates on utility programs, and new sustainability pilot programs. No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m. Consent Calendar - Approval of August Meeting Minutes: The minutes from the August 12, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Amanda Holloway, seconded by Seth Behrends. All present members voted in favor; Amy C. Caucutt and Stewart Rassier were absent. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the open comment period. Discussion Items RPU Power Supply Resource Plan (50 minutes) - Tim McCullough, RPU General Manager, presented the utility's power supply plan, emphasizing the dual challenge of meeting 100% net renewable energy by 2030 while maintaining reliable capacity. He described the plan as a "snakes and ladders" game, with recent setbacks and some wins. - Renewable Energy Progress: RPU has secured about two-thirds of its renewable electricity needs through contracts, primarily wind and solar. A key wind project in northeast Iowa (Howard County) is shovel-ready but stalled due to federal inaction on airspace clearance—the Department of Defense has not issued a determination of no harm for any project in over a year. RPU is advocating for legislative action through the National Defense Authorization Act. - Reliable Capacity Needs: RPU's contract with Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (200 MW of coal capacity) expires in Q1 2030. To replace it, RPU is building Mount Simon Station, a 50 MW natural gas peaking plant adjacent to the West Side Energy Station. The plant will have dual fuel capability (gas/oil) and is on schedule for Q3 2029 operation. A 20 MW battery storage project (two 10 MW sites, 4-hour duration) has been leased; it is expected to break even in the first year with about $3 million in lease costs and $3 million projected revenue. - Challenges: Inflation, tariffs, and permitting delays have increased costs. The cost of combustion turbines has more than doubled in six months due to data center demand. Natural gas price volatility and winter fuel scarcity (e.g., Winter Storm Fern in January 2026) require oil backup. MISO capacity accreditation for wind and batteries is diminishing; longer-duration batteries (8+ hours) may be needed. - Solar on Public Buildings: RPU applied for 20 state grants and was awarded all 20 for solar arrays (40 kW each) on city buildings, totaling 700 kW. These arrays benefit from a 70% state tax credit and potential 30% federal credit. - Commission Q&A: Commissioners asked about dispatch ordering, nuclear energy, hydrogen, and geothermal. Tim McCullough noted that renewables are dispatched first economically; nuclear may be necessary as a zero-carbon dispatchable source but is expensive and faces regulatory hurdles. RPU's new combustion turbines are tested for up to 30% hydrogen blend. RPU Utility Programs and Sustainability Pilot Programs (30 minutes) - Josh (Manager of Marketing and Energy Services) presented RPU's energy efficiency programs. The team of nine manages over 50 cost-effective programs. Highlights: - RPU has met its state-mandated annual energy savings goal (1.5% of annual energy sales) for 20 consecutive years, saving over 17 million kWh annually. In 2025, RPU paid $2.1 million in rebates to nearly 4,000 customers. - Electrification (Efficient Fuel Switching): Since the ECO Act allowed incentives in 2021, electrification has grown. However, state law caps savings from fuel switching at 40% of total; RPU is approaching that cap and will advocate to raise it in the next legislative cycle. - Low-Income Programs: RPU spends $120,000 annually on dedicated programs, including free energy audits and the Neighborhood Energy Challenge. The Older Adults program (rebranded from seniors) had only seven participants last year—outreach challenges exist. - Solar Interconnections: Over 800 systems interconnected as of 2026, but residential tax credits expired end of 2025; 2026 interconnection pace is significantly lower. - Electric Vehicles: 1,875 EVs in service territory in 2025 (27% increase over 2024). Time-of-use rates encourage nighttime charging, but customer adoption is slow. Advanced meters will help customers see savings. - Demand Response: Total capacity 7 MW, mostly from thermostat programs (BYU), with modest growth. - Kayla (Sustainability Staff) gave an update on the three sustainability pilot programs approved by City Council (August 17, 2026): - Allocation: $75,000 for residential rebates, $25,000 for building community grants. - Residential Rebate Programs: Plug-in solar (rebate $100–$300, 75–225 projects; launch mid-2027 due to code/equipment certification hurdles), battery storage ($2,000/project; stackable with state incentives), electric panel upgrade add-on ($2,000 for customers with existing electrification projects), air sealing/insulation (modeled after MERC program; launch early 2027). - Building Community Grant: Expands existing DEI grant to include environmental sustainability projects; open to community groups, neighborhood associations, etc. Early 2027 launch. - Evaluation: Success measured by participation, energy savings, GHG reductions, cost-effectiveness, and customer experience. Staff will report back to council in about a year. - Commission asked about preferred vendors—RPU is tightening contractor lists for solar to avoid fly-by-night operators. Staff Updates - Kayla announced: Brittany Rhodes (Healthy Home Navigator) will serve as the new GreenCorps member starting late September for an 11-month term. Commissioners interested in mentoring can fill out a form. - The youth member (Liam) is stepping down due to college attendance; a new youth member is being sought. Staff is confirming appointment process and term limits. - A mayor's Healthy and Stable Community Support application was submitted to continue funding Healthy Home Helpers next year. - Upcoming events: Week Without Driving Pledge (Oct 1–7), Bike for Science (Sept 24), Move to the Market farmers markets, Snow Summit (Oct 24). Key Outcomes - Approved: August meeting minutes unanimously. - No Votes: No action was taken on the RPU power supply plan or pilot programs; they were presented for information and discussion. - Next Steps: Staff will continue developing the pilot programs for launch in early to mid-2027, with further updates to the commission. Staff will also bring an update on the water supply plan and the legislative agenda (including the ECO Act cap) to a future meeting. - Adjournment: Moved by Casey McQuade, seconded by Brian M. Morgan; approved unanimously at 6:01 p.m.

The Rochester City Council held a study session on September 14, 2026, to discuss the 2027 supplemental recommended operating budget, a payment card processing fee analysis, and the 2026 mid-year action plan. The session lasted from approximately 3:30 p.m. to after 6:30 p.m., with no formal votes taken; instead, staff received direction for preparing future resolutions and policies. 2027 Supplemental Recommended Operating Budget - Staff presented a recommended tax levy increase of 5.59% (to $124.9 million) and a total budget of $799.3 million (including Rochester Public Utilities). The increase is driven by capital improvements, equipment stabilization, and decision packages. - Councilmember Palmer proposed reducing the contingency fund from $1 million to $500,000 to lower the levy increase to 5.21%, matching the preliminary market value growth of 5.21%. Several council members (Keene, Wall, Miller) opposed, arguing the contingency provides necessary margin and that the reduction is a one-time budget trick that would not produce ongoing savings. No consensus was reached; staff will prepare the preliminary levy resolution reflecting the 5.59% increase but with the option for council to adjust at the September 21st action meeting. - A request for $100,000 in AnyPath Home funding was discussed. The council generally supported using one-time state affordable housing aid (projected $249,000 in 2027) rather than adding the amount to the property tax levy. Councilmember Doring preferred a levy-based approach, but the majority favored state aid. Staff will include a designation of $100,000 from that aid for AnyPath Home in the preliminary budget resolution. - Council Communications: Staff recommended MailChimp as an opt-in email tool ($9,300/year). Mayor Norton and several council members expressed disappointment, preferring a more robust platform like Indigov that allows geographic targeting and two-way communication. No direction was given; staff noted the current contract expires in November and a policy discussion will continue. - Shared Services: Deputy Administrator Parrish highlighted potential efficiencies in IT, fleet, GIS, and finance, but noted limited progress due to governance and cultural challenges. Council encouraged staff to sequence deeper dives into specific areas for future study sessions. - Mayor’s Initiatives & Council Travel Budget: Council President Schubring raised the possibility of combining council travel and training budgets into one pool, and of having council oversight over mayor’s initiative spending (currently $30,000). Mayor Norton defended the separate budget, noting her initiatives are funded by the council-approved budget and are reported monthly. Councilmember Palmer and Fredericks supported maintaining the mayor’s discretion. No changes were adopted; the topic may be revisited in a future study session on boards and commissions. Payment Card Processing Fee Analysis - Finance Manager Anderson presented a detailed analysis of the city’s 21 merchant IDs, six acquiring banks, and an average processing fee of 4.86% on credit card transactions, costing the city approximately $511,000 in 2025 (excluding pass-through fees). - The city could implement a surcharge or convenience fee (up to 5% per state statute) to recover most of the cost. Staff recommended a uniform 3% fee for most transactions, with some flat-fee options for small-ticket items (e.g., 25 cents for under-$3 purchases). The proposed policy would be broad, allowing the finance director to adjust fees by merchant as needed. - Council generally supported moving forward with a user-pay model, but raised concerns about alternatives for services where credit cards are the only payment method (e.g., parking ramps, bus fare via mobile app). Councilmember Keene cautioned against unintended customer frustration. Staff will bring a formal policy and implementation plan to a future meeting. 2026 Mid-Year Action Plan - Deputy Administrator Parrish reported that most action plan items are on track, with a few off-track items (e.g., some capital projects). The action plan links strategic priorities to departmental initiatives and is used to inform budget decisions. - Key updates included: 36 lead service lines replaced (RPU); 702 housing units supported through sales tax investment; 10% growth in transit ridership; progress on the ERP project (one go-live in fall 2027); and the $42.8 million Public Works/Parks Maintenance Center nearing completion. - Council asked about metrics for short-term rentals, lead service line funding, and air quality public communication. Staff will follow up on data trends and opportunities for more visible air quality information. - Councilmember Keene questioned whether the action plan is the best management tool; staff acknowledged continuous improvement and noted that a strategic priorities update will occur in early 2027, which may refine the action plan. Key Outcomes - Preliminary Levy Resolution: Staff will prepare the resolution with the 5.59% levy increase and $100,000 for AnyPath Home funded from state affordable housing aid. Council may adjust at the September 21 action meeting. - Contingency Reduction: No direction to reduce contingency; the 5.59% levy recommendation stands for now. - Payment Card Fee Policy: Staff will develop a policy to implement a surcharge/convenience fee, targeting cost recovery, and return to council for adoption. - Future Study Sessions: The next study session on September 28 will cover housing access, mode shift, and stormwater credit policy; October 12 will include the Red Owl/Time Theater history, youth council trip report, and parks and recreation marketing updates. - ERP Project: On track for a single go-live in fall 2027.

The Rochester Charter Commission met on September 11, 2026, to discuss a citizen request regarding ranked choice voting, continue the review of the Home Rule Charter, and address ward boundary provisions. The meeting included a special recognition, a presentation by the mayor on the role of mayor, and multiple votes on subcommittees and charter amendments. Consent Calendar - Set Order of Agenda: Approved unanimously (11 ayes, 0 nays, 4 absent). - Approve Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2026: Approved unanimously (12 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent). Public Comments & Testimony - Mayor Norton presented preliminary results from a survey of 119 mayors across the U.S. on the role of mayor. Key findings: 108 can place items on the agenda; 96 chair council meetings; 58 get a vote; 65% have tiebreaker ability; 57 have veto authority; 31 also serve as city manager. Mayor Norton expressed frustration that Rochester’s mayor has limited power compared to other cities and suggested the city consider combining the roles of council president and mayor. She indicated she would return in January 2027 with more detailed findings and recommendations. Discussion Items - Ranked Choice Voting (New Business): The commission discussed a citizen request to review ranked choice voting. Commissioners expressed a range of views. Some noted that 19 states have banned ranked choice voting, others cited concerns about exhausted ballots and partisan funding, while some argued the commission should study the issue thoroughly. After three motions: - Motion to create a subcommittee (up to 5 members) to study and bring back a recommendation: Denied (5 ayes, 8 nays, 2 absent). - Motion to place discussion on the November 2026 agenda: Denied (6 ayes, 7 nays, 2 absent). - Motion to place discussion on the January 2027 agenda: Approved (12 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent). - Home Rule Charter Review (Unfinished Business): The commission continued reviewing Sections 5–15. - Section 6.02: Motion to change “by the third day after passage” to “by the third business day”: Approved unanimously (13 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent). - Section 6.03: Motion to change “within five days of receipt” to “within five business days”: Approved unanimously (13 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent). - Section 6.05: Motion to change “within five business days (Sundays excepted)” to “within five business days”: Approved unanimously (13 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent). - Severance Motion: Motion to sever Sections 8.05, 9.00, and 15.00 from the current review, sending all settled items to the city council while those three sections are reconsidered by a subcommittee: Approved (8 ayes, 5 nays, 2 absent). - Subcommittee on Mayoral Authority: Motion to establish a subcommittee (up to 4 commissioners plus a city attorney representative) to return with recommendations to address inconsistencies in the authority of the mayor over the city administrator as stated in Sections 8.05, 9.00, and 15.00, by the end of 2027: Approved (10 ayes, 3 nays, 2 absent). - Ward Boundaries (Unfinished Business): Commissioner Rothwell proposed a motion to establish a subcommittee in 2027 to examine the charter provision on ward boundaries (Section 1.02) and bring back recommendations. After debate, the motion passed (7 ayes, 6 nays, 2 absent). Key Outcomes - Approved charter amendments to Sections 6.02, 6.03, and 6.05 changing timeframes to business days. - Severed Sections 8.05, 9.00, and 15.00 from the current review; settled items will be sent to council. - Established a subcommittee to recommend changes to Sections 8.05, 9.00, and 15.00 regarding mayoral authority over the city administrator, with a deadline of end of 2027. - Established a subcommittee to examine ward boundary language in Section 1.02, to report in 2027. - Scheduled discussion on ranked choice voting for the January 2027 meeting. - Directed staff to publish notice for expiring commission terms (6 members) throughout November 2026, with applications due to the chief judge by early December. - Adjourned unanimously.

The Police Policy Oversight Commission met on September 10, 2026, to discuss proposed changes to its rules and regulations, particularly the removal of the NAACP-designated seat and the incident review process. Three NAACP representatives spoke in opposition during public comment, emphasizing the organization's historical role in forming the commission and ongoing racial disparities. The commission held a lengthy discussion but took no final action, voting to continue the discussion to the next meeting in December. Public Comments & Testimony - Joe Phillips, former commissioner, expressed concern about a possible motion to remove the NAACP from the commission and requested an explanation. - Dr. Wale Elegbede, president of the Rochester branch of the NAACP, stated the NAACP was foundational in creating the commission over 18 months of advocacy and warned that proposed changes (removing the NAACP seat and complaint review process) would be a disservice. He urged no decisions until the commission receives additional background information. - Jill Leet-Otley, NAACP chair, argued against removing the designated NAACP seat, citing that other organizations could request their own seats rather than take the NAACP seat away. She also opposed removing language about appointing people based on social justice involvement and eliminating the incident review process, noting ongoing racial disparities in police use of force (e.g., firearms: 52% Black/African American vs 35% white; canine: 69.7% Black/African American vs 27% white). She requested the seat remain and the incident review process be preserved. Discussion Items - Rules and Regulations (Old Business): The commission reviewed several proposed changes to the ordinance, including: - Removing the designated NAACP seat (Section 213.1) and making all seven seats open. - Adding disqualifiers for felony convictions (debated with differing opinions on inclusion of all felonies vs. types). - Standardizing rulemaking language (Section 213.3) to align with other city commissions. - Eliminating the incident review process (Section 213.2a) due to conflict with state law. - Adding a requirement for an annual presentation from the Police Department's Professional Standards Manager. - Commissioners expressed varied opinions: Some supported opening seats to allow other marginalized groups; others argued the NAACP's seat was important and could be expanded. The felony disqualification proposal was contentious, with some arguing it should not be added or should distinguish types. The incident review change was seen as altering the commission's foundational purpose. Key Outcomes - Motion to Continue: Commissioner Phil Wheeler moved, seconded by Omar Nur, to continue the rules and regulations discussion to the next meeting. Approved unanimously (6-0, with Kauth-Fisher absent). The meeting scheduled for December will include further deliberation. - No formal votes were taken on any proposed changes, following Deputy City Attorney Grant Carlson's recommendation to not make decisions at this meeting and to publish the proposed changes for public input. - The commission approved the June 9, 2026 minutes and adopted the agenda (both unanimous with 5-0 votes, Parker and Kauth-Fisher absent for those items). Note: Linda Parker arrived later and participated in the motion to continue and adjournment. Note: Date discrepancy – Agenda lists September 8, 2026; transcript states October 8, 2026. The instruction directs to use September 10, 2026.